Hermit crabs might look like simple creatures and pet due to their size, but the truth is they are quite complex and you need to take the time to understand their food and hydration requirements. They thrive in tropical climates hence their need for high temperatures and humidity levels are a must when you’re taking care of them.
That said, they do require drinking water to survive
So what water do they need exactly? They need two sources of water:
- Unchlorinated Fresh water
- Saline water (Unchlorinated water mixed with marine salt)
- note that marine water is different from your common kitchen salt
When they are in the wild, they have an easy access to both fresh and seawater. Of course, it’s a different story when they are in a captivity. As an owner, you must be able to replicate this, as these will be their option not just for drinking, they will be also using this for bathing.
Since they’ll be bathing on the same water that they will be drinking, chances are their feces will end up on it so be sure to regularly check and change it if their water becomes too murky because of the waste.
Additionally, they needed water not just for bathing, and drinking but also for their breathing as well they needed their gills moist to be able to breathe.
Also, never ever let your hermit crab drink tap water, it isn’t safe since high levels of fluoride can harm them so you really need to be careful of the water that you provide your hermit crabs.
Is there a temperature requirement for my hermit crab’s water?
It’s highly advisable to give them room temperature water, it will be able to replicate the temperature of the water they needed from the wild once you put it in their tank. Given you’ve set the right temperature and humidity levels on their enclosure.
That said, don’t go experimenting with your hermit crabs by giving them cold or hot drinking water. Hermit crabs like to submerge themselves into the water and if by chance you put hot water in their tank, it will harm them.
Equally, as mentioned, you don’t give them cold water as well and that includes ice cube. A specific temperature and humidity levels is needed to be met in their tank and giving them something cold in their tank will affect their health and harm them as well.
That’s why room temperature is enough for them as a source of drinking water.
How often should my hermit crabs drink water?
Just like us humans, a healthy hermit crab will drink water daily. Don’t expect them to always drink from their bowl since they store water inside their shells.
Always check them for any signs of dehydration, which includes the following:
- Looking lethargic
- Pale exoskeleton color
- Excessive digging
The signs of pale color can a be a sign of slow suffocation due to the lack of water and as mentioned before they need water for breathing as well. The excessive digging on the other hand is an indication that your hermit crabs might be looking for moisture on their substrate, so check if they have enough water and if the temperature and humidity levels are correct as well on their tank.